2nd Special Report - Historical Forced Adoption: Government Response

This is the government's response, published 9 July 2026.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The Government accepts the Committee's recommendations on an apology and the state's role, accepts some others in principle or in part, and says it will take a "phased and targeted approach" to further research.

• On the apology, the Government says it "has delivered a formal apology to all those affected" and accepts the recommendations that it recognise the state's role in enabling these practices.
• On records, it accepts the recommendation to preserve them: "subject to Parliamentary approval", it will introduce regulatory changes requiring most existing historical adoption records to be retained for a minimum of 100 years.
• It partially accepts the recommendation on access to records and intermediary services. It will support a national platform and expand funded intermediary services, and will "consider whether further regulatory or legislative steps are required" if the measures are not sufficient.
• On health and research, it partially accepts the recommendations. NHS England "will explore" recording experience of forced adoption in health records, and it will commission a testimonials project but "keep the need for further research under review".

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